U.S. patent application number 13/003012 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for radiation-emitting apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG. Invention is credited to Oskar Schallmoser.
Application Number | 20110176305 13/003012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41203843 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110176305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schallmoser; Oskar |
July 21, 2011 |
RADIATION-EMITTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A radiation-emitting apparatus for emitting a variable
electromagnetic secondary radiation in an emission direction may
include at least one radiation-emitting component configured to
emit during operation an electromagnetic primary radiation, a
reflector, which is arranged in the beam path of the
radiation-emitting component and has a first wavelength conversion
substance for the at least partial conversion of the primary
radiation into electromagnetic conversion radiation, and an
aperture, which is variable in terms of its orientation relative to
the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector, wherein by
way of changing the orientation of the aperture the secondary
radiation is variable by changing that proportion of the primary
radiation which is emitted by the radiation-emitting component onto
the first wavelength conversion substance, and by changing the
emitted conversion radiation.
Inventors: |
Schallmoser; Oskar;
(Ottobrunn, DE) |
Assignee: |
OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT
BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
Muenchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
41203843 |
Appl. No.: |
13/003012 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
June 15, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/057373 |
371 Date: |
April 7, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/235 ;
250/503.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 7/30 20180201; F21K
9/65 20160801; H01L 33/50 20130101; F21V 7/26 20180201; F21V 14/08
20130101; F21Y 2105/10 20160801; F21K 9/64 20160801; F21Y 2115/10
20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/235 ;
250/503.1 |
International
Class: |
F21V 7/00 20060101
F21V007/00; G21K 5/00 20060101 G21K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 031 996.1 |
Claims
1. A radiation-emitting apparatus for emitting a variable
electromagnetic secondary radiation in an emission direction, the
apparatus comprising: at least one radiation-emitting component
configured to emit during operation an electromagnetic primary
radiation, a reflector, which is arranged in the beam path of the
radiation-emitting component and has a first wavelength conversion
substance for the at least partial conversion of the primary
radiation into electromagnetic conversion radiation, and an
aperture, which is variable in terms of its orientation relative to
the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector, wherein by
way of changing the orientation of the aperture the secondary
radiation is variable by changing that proportion of the primary
radiation which is emitted by the radiation-emitting component onto
the first wavelength conversion substance, and by changing the
emitted conversion radiation.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflector
comprises a first sub-area with the first wavelength conversion
substance and a second sub-area with a second wavelength conversion
substance, different from different from the first wavelength
conversion substance, for the conversion of the primary radiation
into electromagnetic conversion radiation and by changing the
orientation of the aperture, the proportion emitted by the first
sub-area and the proportion emitted by the second sub-area of the
conversion radiation in the secondary radiation are variable
relative to each other.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflector
comprises a plurality of first sub-areas and second sub-areas
arranged alternately side by side.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector is
partially reflecting for the primary radiation.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is at
least partially reflecting.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture
comprises a third wavelength conversion substance and by changing
the orientation of the aperture, the proportion of the primary
radiation, which is emitted by the radiation-emitting component
onto the third wavelength conversion substance, is variable.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture
comprises at least one opening.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one part
of the conversion radiation is emitted through the opening by the
radiation-emitting apparatus.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the aperture
comprises a plurality of openings.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation of
the aperture relative to the radiation-emitting component is
variable by at least one of a translation and a rotation.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture,
viewed by an external observer covers at least a part of the
reflector, which is variable by changing the arrangement of the
aperture.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is
arranged between the radiation-emitting component and the
reflector.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
radiation-emitting component is arranged between the reflector and
the aperture.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
radiation-emitting component comprises at least one of a
radiation-emitting semiconductor component and a fluorescent lamp.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a radiation-emitting
apparatus with a radiation-emitting component according to the
preamble to claim 1.
[0002] In the case of lighting equipment with a variable color or
color temperature, it is possible to combine differently colored
individual light sources to form one lamp, wherein the brightness
of the individual light sources is adjusted individually, for
example, by changing the current. As a result, the resultant
heterochromatic color of the lamp is variable. Hereby, however,
during normal operation, not all individual light sources are
simultaneously illuminated with maximum brightness. In order to
obtain a desired quantity of light which can be emitted by the
lamp, it is, therefore, necessary to use more individual light
sources than are actually needed for the desired quantity of light.
Furthermore, a complex electronic management system is required to
set the emitted color temperature. This means that a lamp of this
kind is complex and cost-intensive.
[0003] Also known is lighting equipment with translucent color
filter foils through which the light from a light source is
radiated and in this way changes its color. However, as a result,
light is filtered out and the maximum brightness achievable by the
light source is reduced, thus reducing the efficiency of such
lighting equipment and hence the manufacturing and operating costs
increase.
[0004] At least one object of certain embodiments is to disclose a
radiation-emitting apparatus for emitting a variable
electromagnetic secondary radiation which avoids the drawbacks
described above.
[0005] This object is achieved by a subject matter with the
features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and
further developments of the subject matter are characterized in the
dependent claims and can also be derived from the following
description and the drawings.
[0006] According to one embodiment, a radiation-emitting apparatus
for emitting a variable electromagnetic secondary radiation in an
emission direction encompasses in particular [0007] at least one
radiation-emitting component, which, during operation, emits an
electromagnetic primary radiation, [0008] a reflector, which is
arranged in the beam path of the radiation-emitting component and
which includes a first wavelength conversion substance for the at
least partial conversion of the primary radiation into
electromagnetic conversion radiation, and [0009] an aperture, which
is variable in terms of its orientation relative to the
radiation-emitting component and to the reflector, wherein [0010]
by way of changing the orientation of the aperture, the secondary
radiation is variable by changing that proportion of the primary
radiation, which is emitted by the radiation-emitting component
onto the first wavelength conversion substance, and by changing the
emitted conversion radiation.
[0011] Here, and in the following "electromagnetic radiation" in
general and "electromagnetic primary radiation", "electromagnetic
secondary radiation" and "electromagnetic conversion radiation" in
particular each describe electromagnetic radiation or light with
wavelengths from an ultraviolet to infrared wavelength range.
Hereby, the conversion radiation and the primary radiation are
different from each other. This can in particular mean that the
primary radiation includes a first spectral distribution of
spectral components, that is individual wavelengths or wavelength
ranges with the associated intensities, and the conversion
radiation includes a second spectral distribution, wherein the
first and the second spectral distribution are different from each
other in at least one wavelength. Hereby, in particular, the
secondary radiation and the conversion radiation, and furthermore
also the primary radiation, may include wavelengths from a visible
wavelength range and hence be visible light. Particularly
preferably, it is possible to emit such wavelengths and wavelength
ranges, which could evoke a monochromatic, heterochromatic or a
white, in particular a cold white or a warm white, impression of
light in an observer. An impression of the light of an
electromagnetic radiation perceivable by an external observer may,
for example, be characterized by the chromaticity coordinate in the
CIE-1931 standard color chart familiar to the person skilled in the
art. A white impression of light may furthermore be characterized
by the color temperature and correlated color temperature known to
the person skilled in the art.
[0012] Here, and in the following, a "change" to an electromagnetic
radiation or a proportion of an electromagnetic radiation may in
particular mean a change to the intensity, the color, the color
temperature or a combination thereof. In particular, with respect
to the primary radiation, a change to the proportion of the primary
radiation emitted by the radiation-emitting component onto the
first wavelength conversion substance may mean a change to the
overall radiation power of the primary radiation emitted onto the
first wavelength conversion substance. Here and in the following, a
change in the conversion radiation may in particular mean a change
in the radiation power of the conversion radiation emitted by the
radiation-emitting apparatus and/or a change in the spectral
composition of the conversion radiation.
[0013] Here and in the following, "reflector" denotes an optical
component, which, when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation,
in turn emits electromagnetic radiation, which can be the same as
or different from the irradiated electromagnetic radiation. In the
radiation-emitting apparatus described here, in particular primary
radiation is irradiated onto the reflector and conversion radiation
or conversion radiation together with partially unconverted primary
radiation are in turn emitted by the reflector.
[0014] Here and in the following, "aperture" denotes an optical
component which is suitable for masking electromagnetic radiation
out of a solid angle range and hence for shading this solid angle
range. The variable orientation of the aperture may also be varied
by the shadable solid angle range variable. In particular, an
aperture in the sense used here is not transparent and furthermore
also not translucent to electromagnetic radiation.
[0015] The fact that the aperture can be varied relative to the
radiation-emitting component and to the reflector can in particular
involve the radiation-emitting component and the reflector being
mounted rigidly. This may mean that the radiation-emitting
apparatus includes a housing and/or an element for the permanent
mounting and/or re-detachable fixation of the radiation-emitting
apparatus and the radiation-emitting component and the reflector
are attached in or on the housing and/or on the element for the
mounting and/or fixation in a fixed and unmovable way. On the other
hand, the aperture is variable in terms of its orientation relative
to the housing and/or the element for the mounting and/or
fixation.
[0016] The radiation-emitting apparatus described here may enable
the adjustment and adaptation of the emitted secondary radiation,
for example, its intensity, color temperature and/or chromaticity
coordinate, by a relative change to the orientation of the aperture
relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector.
Hereby, it may be possible for the radiation-emitting component to
be operated continuously and permanently in an unchanged operating
mode during the electronic operation of the radiation-emitting
apparatus. As a result, the radiation-emitting component may emit
an unchanged primary radiation during operation, while the
secondary radiation emitted by the radiation-emitting apparatus is
still variable. An unchanged operating mode of the
radiation-emitting component may hereby mean that the primary
radiation is retained unchanged with respect to its intensity and
its spectral range. The radiation-emitting component must,
therefore, for example not be dimmed. As a result, it may be
possible for a complex management system for the electrical supply
for the radiation-emitting component as described above to be
reduced or omitted entirely for the control of the secondary
radiation. It is hence possible for the variability of the
secondary radiation to have no influence on the operating mode of
the radiation-emitting component, that is, for example on the
temperature or electrical parameters such as, for example, the
applied voltage or the impressed current.
[0017] The secondary radiation may encompass the primary radiation
and/or the conversion radiation and may thereby be variable in such
a way that at least one of the parameter intensity, color, that is
chromaticity coordinate, and color temperature of the secondary
radiation is variable. The secondary radiation may hereby, in
particular in dependence on the orientation of the aperture
relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector,
include a proportion of the primary radiation and/or the conversion
radiation which is variable by the aperture orientation. The
variable proportion of the primary radiation and/or the variable
proportion of the conversion radiation of the secondary radiation
may each be variable between a maximum value and a minimum value.
The maximum and the minimum value of the variable proportion of the
primary radiation may hereby be invoked between two specific,
different orientations of the aperture. Similarly, the maximum and
the minimum value of the proportion of the conversion radiation,
which is emitted by the first wavelength conversion substance, are
invoked at two specific orientations of the aperture. The minimum
value may mean a finite radiation power different from zero for the
primary radiation and/or for the conversion radiation or also a
radiation power of zero.
[0018] This may mean that, in a certain orientation of the
aperture, the secondary radiation includes only conversion
radiation and no primary radiation and/or in a certain other
orientation of the aperture only primary radiation and no
conversion radiation. By continuously changing the orientation of
the aperture between the two certain orientations of the aperture,
it is possible to achieve a continuous changing of the secondary
radiation by changing the proportion of the primary radiation
and/or the conversion radiation.
[0019] Furthermore, depending on the orientation of the aperture
relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector,
the secondary radiation may include a spectral composition of the
conversion radiation which is variable by means of the aperture
orientation. The spectral composition of the conversion radiation,
that is the entirety of the spectral components of the conversion
radiation, may be variable by changing the orientation of the
aperture between a first spectrum and a second spectrum variable,
wherein the first spectrum and the second spectrum may each be
evoked by a certain orientation of the aperture.
[0020] For example, the reflector may include a first sub-area with
the first wavelength conversion substance and a second sub-area
with a second wavelength conversion substance for the conversion of
the primary radiation into electromagnetic conversion radiation,
wherein the second wavelength conversion substance is different
from the first wavelength conversion substance. Hereby, the first
and the second sub-area may be directly adjacent to each other. The
conversion radiation, which is emitted by the first wavelength
conversion substance, may therefore be different from the
conversion radiation, which is emitted by the second wavelength
conversion substance. By changing the orientation of the aperture
relative to the reflector, the ratio of the proportion of the
primary radiation, which is irradiated onto the first wavelength
conversion substance, and of the proportion of the primary
radiation, which is irradiated onto the second wavelength
conversion substance, may be variable. As a result, the proportion
emitted by the first sub-area and the proportion emitted by the
second sub-area of the conversion radiation to the secondary
radiation may be variable relative to each other, so that the
conversion radiation and hence also the secondary radiation can be
variable with respect to their spectral composition.
[0021] Furthermore, the reflector may include a plurality of the
first sub-areas with the first wavelength conversion substance and
a plurality of the second sub-areas with the second wavelength
conversion substance. Hereby, the first and second sub-areas can be
arranged alternately side by side. Hereby, the first and second
sub-areas may be arranged linearly, that is along a straight line
or an arc, or along two directions, that is, for example, in the
style of a checkerboard or matrix. Furthermore, the arrangement of
the first and second sub-areas may be circular or elliptical in the
form of segments, sectors, disks or a combination thereof.
[0022] The reflector may furthermore be partially reflecting for
the primary radiation. This may mean that, without being converted
by the first and/or the second wavelength conversion substance, a
part of the primary radiation may be diverted by the reflector in
the emission direction of the radiation-emitting apparatus. As a
result, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the reflector may
give the impression of heterochromatic light from a superimposition
of the conversion radiation and the reflected primary radiation. To
this end, the reflector may, for example, include a reflecting
surface, to which the first or optionally the second wavelength
conversion substance is applied. Due to the reflecting surface,
unconverted primary radiation, which has traversed the first
wavelength conversion substance or optionally the second wavelength
conversion substance in unconverted form, may be reflected back
into the first or second wavelength conversion substance, so that
the conversion probability may be effectively increased as a
result.
[0023] For example, the reflector or its reflecting surface can be
specularly or diffusely reflecting. A specular reflection can, for
example, be evoked by a specular surface of the reflector.
"Diffusely reflecting" may in particular mean that the primary
radiation, which may be irradiated specularly onto the reflector,
may be reflected in a non-image forming way and for example
isotropically, that is uniformly in different directions, by the
reflector. To this end, the reflecting surface may, for example, be
roughened or a have a reflecting microstructure.
[0024] Alternatively to this, the reflector may be designed so that
only conversion radiation is guided and emitted in the emission
direction. To this end, the first wavelength conversion substance
and/or optionally the second wavelength conversion substance may be
embodied so that all the primary radiation irradiated onto the
reflector is converted into conversion radiation. Alternatively or
additionally, the reflector may include a surface to which the
first and/or--if present--the second wavelength conversion
substance is applied and which absorbs the primary radiation.
Embodiments of this kind may, in particular, be advantageous if the
primary radiation encompasses ultraviolet radiation or infrared
radiation or is ultraviolet or infrared radiation. Radiation of
this kind cannot be perceived by an external observer and may, in
the case of ultraviolet radiation, for example, even be undesirable
for health reasons.
[0025] The reflector may include a plastic, a metal, a ceramic or
combinations thereof or be made of one the materials named. For
example, the reflector may be made of metal such as, for example,
aluminum or silver or at least include a surface made of a metal.
Furthermore, the reflector may include a plastic, particularly
preferably a white-colored plastic.
[0026] Furthermore, the reflector may encompass diffusion
particles. Hereby, the diffusion particles may be arranged on the
surface of the reflector or they may be included together with the
wavelength conversion substance as described above in a matrix
material and applied to the reflector. In particular, the diffusion
particles may include, for example, a metal oxide, for example a
titanium oxide or aluminum oxide such as, for example, corundum,
and/or glass particles. Hereby, the diffusion particles may have
diameters of grain sizes of less than one micrometer to an order of
magnitude of 10 micrometers.
[0027] The wavelength conversion substance, that is the first
wavelength conversion substance and/or--if present--the second
wavelength conversion substance, may include one or more of the
following materials: garnets of rare earths alkaline earth metals,
for example YAG:Ce.sup.3+, nitrides, nitride silicates, sions,
sialons, aluminates, oxides, halophosphates, orthosilicates,
sulfides, vanadates, perylenes, coumarin and chlorosilicates.
Furthermore, the wavelength conversion substance may also encompass
suitable mixtures and/or combinations thereof.
[0028] Furthermore, the wavelength conversion substance may be
embedded in a transparent matrix material, which surrounds or
contains the wavelength conversion substance or which is chemically
bonded to the wavelength conversion substance. The transparent
matrix material may include, for example, silicones, epoxides,
acrylates, imides, carbonates, olefins or derivatives thereof in
the form of monomers, oligomers or polymers as mixtures, copolymers
or compounds. For example, the matrix material may be an epoxy
resin, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a silicone resin.
[0029] Hereby, the wavelength conversion substance may be
homogeneously distributed in the matrix material. Alternatively,
different materials from those named above can be distributed and
arranged in different layers or regions of the matrix material.
[0030] Hereby, the wavelength conversion substance may be applied
directly to the reflector. The wavelength conversion substance
and/or the matrix material may be applied to the reflector, for
example, by a spraying or pressure process, by means of
dip-coating, doctoring, painting-on or by means of an
electrophoretic process.
[0031] The wavelength conversion substance may be suitable to
convert the primary radiation into conversion radiation with a
higher wavelength. For example, the primary radiation may encompass
spectral components in the ultraviolet to green wavelength range,
which are converted into conversion radiation with spectral
components in the yellow to red wavelength range. Alternatively or
additionally, the wavelength conversion substance may also include
frequency-mixing and/or frequency-doubling properties, so that, for
example, infrared primary radiation is converted into visible
conversion radiation.
[0032] Furthermore, the aperture may also be at least partially
reflecting. Hereby, the aperture may include one or more of the
features described above in connection with the reflector.
According to the spatial arrangement of the aperture in
relationship to the radiation-emitting component and to the
reflector described below, the aperture may, therefore, be suitable
for diverting the proportion of the primary radiation irradiated
onto the aperture in the emission direction or in the direction of
the reflector.
[0033] As a result of the fact that the orientation of the aperture
is variable relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the
reflector, the proportion of the primary radiation which is
reflected by the at least partially reflecting aperture may also be
changed. According to the spatial arrangement of the aperture in
relation to the radiation-emitting component and to the reflector,
therefore, the proportion of the primary radiation in the secondary
radiation or the proportion of the primary radiation diverted or
irradiated onto the reflector can be changed, which in turn means
the proportion of conversion radiation in the secondary radiation
can be changed.
[0034] Furthermore, the aperture may include a third wavelength
conversion substance for the at least partial conversion of the
primary radiation into conversion radiation, which is different
from the first and--if present--different from the second
wavelength conversion substance. Hereby, the third wavelength
conversion substance may include one or more of the features
described above in connection with the first and second wavelength
conversion substance. Hence, in addition to the primary radiation
and/or the conversion radiation emitted by the reflector, the
secondary radiation may also include conversion radiation, which is
emitted by the aperture.
[0035] As a result of the fact that the orientation of the aperture
is variable relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the
reflector, the proportion of the primary radiation irradiated onto
the aperture may be changed. As a result, the proportion of the
primary radiation which is converted by the third wavelength
conversion substance into conversion radiation, and hence the
proportion of the conversion radiation in the secondary radiation,
may be changed.
[0036] The aperture may have a shape adapted to the shape of the
reflector. This may mean that the reflector, for example, has a
polygonal or round shape or a combination thereof. To this end, the
aperture may have a shape suitable for shading at least a part of
or even the whole reflector in at least one orientation of the
aperture relative to the reflector. This may in particular mean
that the aperture has a similar or the same shape as the reflector.
For example, the reflector and the aperture may each have a
rectangular, elliptical or circular surface which can be aligned
one on top of the other. Geometric surface data relating to the
reflector and the aperture may refer to Euclidian or non-Euclidian
geometry. This may mean that the area boundary of the reflector
and/or the aperture may have a polygonal and/or a round shape and
the area bounded thereby is flat in the case of Euclidian geometry
or curved in the case of non-Euclidian geometry. For example, the
reflector and/or the aperture may be embodied as part of a cylinder
jacket, as part of a spherical shell, a rotational ellipsoid,
rotational paraboloid or rotational hyperboloid or a combination
thereof.
[0037] The aperture may in particular be embodied in such a way and
be arranged in at least one orientation relative to the
radiation-emitting component and to the reflector in such a way
that, when viewed by an external observer, the aperture covers at
least a part of the reflector. The part of the reflector covered by
the aperture may be varied by changing the orientation of the
aperture. In particular, this may be perceived by an external
observer looking at the aperture and the reflector of the
radiation-emitting apparatus against the emission direction.
[0038] The aperture may furthermore include at least one opening
whose orientation is variable relative to the radiation-emitting
component and to the reflector. The opening may, for example, have
a shape adapted to the shape of the first wavelength conversion
substance and/or--if present--to the shape of the second wavelength
conversion substance on the reflector. The first wavelength
conversion substance or the first and the second wavelength
conversion substances may for example have a polygonal, for example
rectangular or quadratic, or a round, for example circular or
elliptical surface area on the reflector or a combination thereof.
The opening may have a cross section through which, in a certain
orientation of the aperture relative to the reflector, the first
wavelength conversion substance is fully or almost completely
visible from the side of the aperture facing away from the
reflector. The opening may therefore have polygonal, for example
rectangular or quadratic, or round, for example circular or
elliptic, cross section or a combination thereof.
[0039] In particular, at least one part of the conversion radiation
emitted by the reflector, that is the conversion radiation, which
is generated and emitted by the first and/or--if present--by the
second wavelength conversion substance may be emitted through the
opening in emission direction of the radiation-emitting
apparatus.
[0040] Furthermore, the aperture may also have a plurality of
openings. If, for example, the reflector has, as described above a
plurality of first sub-areas with a first wavelength conversion
substance and a plurality of second sub-areas with a second
wavelength conversion substance arranged alternately side by side,
the aperture may have a plurality of openings equal to the
plurality in the first and second sub-areas. In a certain
orientation of the aperture, in each case, one of the pluralities
of openings can be arranged over the plurality of the first
sub-areas. As a result, the radiation-emitting apparatus may emit
conversion radiation generated and emitted by the first wavelength
conversion substance in the first sub-areas through the plurality
of the openings. In a further certain orientation of the aperture,
in each case one of the plurality of the openings may be arranged
over one of the plurality of the second sub-areas. As a result, the
radiation-emitting apparatus may emit conversion radiation
generated and emitted by the second wavelength conversion substance
in the second sub-areas through the plurality of the openings.
Changing the orientation of the aperture between these two certain
orientations enables the secondary radiation to have variable
proportions of the conversion radiation generated by both the first
wavelength conversion substance and the second wavelength
conversion substance.
[0041] The orientation of the aperture may be changed by a
translation relative to the radiation-emitting component and to the
reflector. This means in particular that the radiation-emitting
component and the reflector can be mounted or fixed rigidly, while
the aperture may be displaced relative thereto. Hereby, the
translation may take place, for example, along a straight line or
along a curved line. For example, the translation may also take
place on a circular or elliptical translation path. To this end,
the radiation-emitting apparatus may include a guide element such
as, for example, a guide rail or a sliding mechanism, by means of
which the aperture can be displaced mechanically or
electromechanically. Translation may encompass or be a continuous
displacement or a displacement in discrete steps, for example
defined by a raster.
[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the secondary radiation can
be changed by a rotation of the aperture relative to the
radiation-emitting component and to the reflector. This may mean
that the aperture is rotatable and the radiation-emitting component
and the reflector are mounted rigidly and immovably relative to the
environment. The aperture may, for example, be rotatable relative
to the reflector about an axis of rotation, which is parallel or
perpendicular an extension direction of the reflector. For example,
the axis of rotation may be perpendicular to an extension direction
of the reflector so that the aperture may be swiveled parallel to
the extension direction of the reflector. Furthermore, the aperture
may be rotatable relative to the reflector about an axis of
rotation which is, for example, parallel to an extension direction
of the reflector so that the aperture may be tipped mechanically or
electromechanically relative to the reflector. To this end, the
radiation-emitting apparatus may include a rotational element such
as, for example, a rotating, swiveling or folding mechanism with an
axis of rotation such as, for example, a mechanical shaft, a link
or a hinge.
[0043] A rotation may encompass or be continuous rotation or a
rotation in discrete angular steps, for example defined by a
raster.
[0044] In order to achieve as precise as possible adjustability and
variability of the secondary radiation, the radiation-emitting
apparatus may in particular include, as described above, a
combination of first, second and/or third wavelength conversion
substances with a suitable alignment apparatus for the
aperture.
[0045] In the embodiments described above, the aperture may be
arranged between the radiation-emitting component and the
reflector. Alternatively, the radiation-emitting component may also
be arranged between the aperture and the reflector.
[0046] The radiation-emitting component may be embodied as a
punctiform, linear or flat radiation source. In particular, hereby,
a radiation-emitting component embodied as a punctiform radiation
source can preferably be straight, that is parallel to a straight
line, but also bent. For example, the radiation-emitting component
may encompass a fluorescent lamp, in particular a cold cathode
fluorescence lamp (CCFL), a hot cathode fluorescence lamp" (CFL),
an external electrode fluorescence lamp" (EEFL) or a flat
fluorescence lamp (FFL). Alternatively or additionally, the
radiation-emitting component may include or be an
electroluminescent foil. Furthermore, the radiation-emitting
component may encompass or be a radiation-emitting semiconductor
component such as a light-emitting diode or a laser diode. Hereby,
the radiation-emitting semiconductor component may be an inorganic
or an organic light-emitting diode or laser diode. Hereby, it may
also be advantageous for the radiation-emitting apparatus to
encompass a plurality of light-emitting diodes or laser diodes,
which each emit the same or different electromagnetic
radiation.
[0047] A radiation-emitting component embodied as an inorganic LED
or laser diode may include an epitaxy layer sequence, that is an
epitaxially grown semiconductor layer sequence. Hereby, the
semiconductor layer sequence may, for example, be embodied on the
basis of an inorganic material, for example InGaAlN, such as, for
example, GaN thin film semiconductor chips. InGaAlN-based or
nitride-based semiconductor chips include, in particular, those in
which the epitaxially produced semiconductor layer sequence, which,
as a rule, includes a layer sequence of different individual
layers, contains at least one individual layer, including a
material from the III-V compound semiconductor material system
In.sub.xAl.sub.yGa.sub.i-x-yN where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1,
0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and x+y.ltoreq.1. Alternatively or
additionally, the semiconductor layer sequence may also be based on
InGaA1P, that is it may be phosphide-based, which means that the
semiconductor layer sequence includes different individual layers,
of which at least one individual layer includes a material made of
the III-V compound semiconductor material system
In.sub.xAl.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yP where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1,
0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and x+y.ltoreq.1. Alternatively or
additionally, the semiconductor layer sequence may also include
other III-V compound semiconductor material systems, for example an
AlGaAs-based material, or II-VI compound semiconductor material
systems. A II-VI compound semiconductor material system may include
at least one element from the second main group, such as, for
example Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and an element from the sixth main group,
such as, for example O, S, Se. In particular, a II-VI compound
semiconductor material system encompasses a binary, ternary or
quaternary compound, which encompasses at least one element from
the second main group and at least one element from the sixth main
group. A binary, ternary or quaternary compound of this kind can
also be, for example, one or more dopants and additional
components. For example, the II-VI compound semiconductor material
systems include the following: ZnO, ZnMgO, CdS, ZnCdS, MgBeO.
[0048] The semiconductor layer sequence may include as an active
region, for example, a conventional pn junction, a double
heterostructure, a single quantum well structure (SQW structure) or
a multi-quantum well structure (MQW structure). In addition to the
active region, the semiconductor layer sequence can encompass
further functional layers and functional regions, for example p- or
n-doped charge carrier transport layers, that is electron or hole
transport layers, p-, n or undoped confinement or cladding layers,
barrier layers, planarization layers, buffer layers, protective
layers and/or electrodes and combinations thereof. Such structures
relating to the active region or the further functional layers and
regions are known to the person skilled in the art, in particular
with respect to construction, function and structure and will,
therefore, not be described further here.
[0049] For example, the radiation-emitting component may emit
electromagnetic primary radiation in the ultraviolet spectral range
and/or in the blue spectral range. Hereby, the primary radiation
may encompass one or more wavelengths in the range of, for example,
from 365 nanometers to, for example, 490 nanometers.
[0050] With the radiation-emitting apparatus described here, during
operation, the radiation-emitting component may be operated
unchanged and permanently with optimum efficiency and/or with full
brightness, which, with both fluorescent lamps and semiconductor
components, may enable high reliability and endurance.
[0051] Furthermore, the radiation-emitting apparatus described here
may also be suitable, in a switched-off operating mode, for making
a variable contribution to the room light or to the color
temperature of a room, for example. To this end, the
radiation-emitting apparatus may be installed in a room and the
first wavelength conversion substance and/or--if present--the
second and/or the third wavelength conversion substance may be
induced by the ambient light in the room, for example sunlight, for
the emission of conversion radiation. By changing the orientation
of the aperture relative to the reflector, as described above, in
switched-on operating mode of the radiation-emitting apparatus, the
conversion radiation may be variable, which means the secondary
radiation in the form of the conversion radiation, which may also
be emitted in switched-off mode, may be variable.
[0052] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments and further
developments of the invention may be derived from the embodiments
described below with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5B, which show:
[0053] FIGS. 1A to 1C schematic representations of a
radiation-emitting apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment
and
[0054] FIGS. 2 to 5B schematic representations of
radiation-emitting apparatuses according to further exemplary
embodiments.
[0055] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, the same
components or components with the same functions can be identified
by the same reference numbers. The elements depicted and their
relative sizes should in principle not be treated as true to scale,
rather it is possible that individual elements, such as, for
example layers, parts, components and regions may be depicted as
excessively thick or large for better representability and/or for
better understanding.
[0056] For reasons of clarity, here and in the following, in the
exemplary embodiments the radiation-emitting apparatuses depicted
are shown without housings, mechanical holding fixtures, mechanical
or electromechanical shifting and/or turning devices and without
electric or electronic supply and/or control elements, which are
assumed to be known to the person skilled in the art. Common to all
exemplary embodiments is the fact that the reflector 2 and the
radiation-emitting component(s) 1 is/are rigidly mounted and only
the aperture 3 is variable in terms of its orientation relative to
the reflector 2 and the radiation-emitting component(s) 1.
[0057] FIGS. 1A to 1C show an exemplary embodiment of a
radiation-emitting apparatus 100. The radiation-emitting apparatus
100 includes a radiation-emitting component 1, which emits
electromagnetic primary radiation 4 during operation. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, the radiation-emitting component 1
includes an inorganic, nitride-based laser diode, which emits a
primary radiation 4 with a impression of blue light and spectral
components with a wavelength in the range of, for example, from 365
to 490 nanometers.
[0058] The use of a laser diode in the radiation-emitting component
1 enables the primary radiation 4 to be emitted with a high
intensity and with a beam suitable for collimation with low
divergence. For applications requiring a high degree of luminosity,
the radiation-emitting component 1 may also include a plurality of
laser diodes, for example a laser diode bar or a laser diode array.
Alternatively, the radiation-emitting component 1 may also include,
for example, one or more LEDs or fluorescent lamps. Furthermore,
the radiation-emitting component 1 includes a housing and optical
components for the collimation of the primary radiation 4, which,
as mentioned above, is not shown for purposes of clarity.
[0059] The primary radiation 4 is emitted onto a reflector 2. The
reflector 2 includes a diffusely reflecting, white surface facing
the radiation-emitting component 1. As a result, the reflector 2 is
embodied in such a way that, regardless of its wavelength,
electromagnetic radiation may be diverted diffusely, that is
without a preferred direction, by the reflector. To this end, the
reflector 2 is roughened on the surfaces facing the
radiation-emitting component 1. Alternatively or additionally, as
described above, it is also possible for diffusion particles to be
applied to the reflector 2.
[0060] Applied to the reflector 2, is a first wavelength conversion
substance 21, which can convert the primary radiation, at least
partially, into electromagnetic conversion radiation 5. To this
end, the first wavelength conversion substance 21 includes one or
more of the materials described above in the general part, which
are arranged on the reflector 2, embedded in a transparent matrix
material. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the conversion
radiation 5, which is emitted by the first wavelength conversion
substance 21, includes a yellow wavelength. The composition and the
concentration of the first wavelength conversion substance 21 and
the thickness, with which the first wavelength conversion substance
21 is applied to the reflector 2, are selected in such a way that
the primary radiation 4 irradiated onto the reflector 2 is
completed converted into conversion radiation 5. Hereby,
"completely converted" means that less than 1/e, preferably less
than 1/e.sup.2 and particularly preferably less than 1% of the
primary radiation 4 is emitted by the reflector 2 with the first
wavelength conversion substance 21, wherein e designates the
Euler's number. In particular when the primary radiation 4 includes
spectral components from an ultraviolet wavelength range, it is
advantageous for reasons of health, for example, for an external
observer, for the proportion of the primary radiation 4 emitted by
the reflector 2, and hence by the radiation-emitting apparatus 100,
to be as low as possible.
[0061] Furthermore, the radiation-emitting apparatus 100 includes
an aperture 3, which is variable in terms of its orientation
relative to the radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector
2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the aperture 3 may be
displaced on a translation path or a displacement direction, which
is indicated by the double arrow 90, relative to the
radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector 2. Hereby, the
aperture 3 is arranged between the reflector 2 and the
radiation-emitting component 1 so that, depending on the relative
orientation, the aperture 3 can cover and hence shade at least one
part of the reflector 2 from the viewpoint of the
radiation-emitting component 1. To change the orientation of the
aperture 3, the radiation-emitting apparatus 100 includes a
mechanical or electromechanical displacement and/or sliding
mechanism such as, for example, a rail, which is not shown for
reasons of clarity. Alternatively or additionally, the aperture 3
can also be rotatable relative to the radiation-emitting component
1 and the reflector 3. To this end, the radiation-emitting
apparatus 100 may include a swiveling, tilting and/or rotating
mechanism, for example in the form an axis of rotation, a hinge
and/or a link.
[0062] In the exemplary embodiment shown, like the reflector, the
aperture includes a diffusely reflecting, white surface facing the
radiation-emitting component 1. As a result, regardless of the
wavelength, at least the visible proportion of the primary
radiation 4, which is irradiated onto the aperture 3, may be
reflected diffusely. If the primary radiation 4 includes at least
one spectral component from an ultraviolet wavelength range, it can
be advantageous furthermore for the aperture 3 to absorb
ultraviolet radiation, so that only visible light is reflected by
the aperture 3. To this end, the aperture 3 may, for example,
include a UV filter layer on the surface facing the
radiation-emitting component 1.
[0063] In the embodiment shown, the reflector 2 and the aperture 3
have a flat design. Alternatively, the reflector 2 and/or the
aperture 3 may also have a curved or bent design. In particular the
reflector 2, may for example, also be designed in the form of a
concave mirror with specular or diffuse reflection. To this end,
the reflector 2 may be embodied in the form of a part of hollow
cylinder, a hollow sphere, a rotational ellipsoid, rotational
paraboloid, rotational hyperboloid or a combination thereof,
wherein the surface of the reflector 2 with the first wavelength
conversion substance 21 facing the radiation-emitting component 1
may be embodied in convex or concave form.
[0064] During the operation of the radiation-emitting component 1,
the radiation-emitting component 1 emits, in the emission direction
indicated by the arrow 10, electromagnetic secondary radiation 6,
which, depending on the orientation of the aperture 3, is variable
relative to the radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector
2. FIGS. 1A to 1C show three different orientations of the aperture
3, with reference to which the variability and adjustability of the
secondary radiation 6 will be explained below purely by way of
example.
[0065] In FIG. 1A, the aperture 3 is oriented according to a first
orientation in such a way relative to the reflector 2 that the
entire primary radiation 4 is irradiated onto the first wavelength
conversion substance 21. Hence, in the first alignment, the
proportion 41 of the primary radiation 4 which may be converted by
the first wavelength conversion substance 21 into conversion
radiation 5 encompasses the entire primary radiation 4. Hence, in
the first orientation according to FIG. 1A, the radiation-emitting
apparatus 100 emits the conversion radiation 5 as secondary
radiation 6. Therefore, in the first orientation of the aperture 3,
the secondary radiation 6 includes primary radiation 4 with a
proportion of zero.
[0066] FIG. 1B shows the aperture 3 in a second orientation
relative to the reflector 3, in which the aperture 3 completely
shades the reflector 2 and hence also the first wavelength
conversion substance 21. Hence, the proportion 42 of the primary
radiation 4 which is irradiated onto the aperture 3 encompasses the
entire primary radiation 4, while the proportion of the primary
radiation 4 converted into conversion radiation is equal to zero in
the second orientation according to FIG. 1B. As a result, in the
second orientation, the radiation-emitting apparatus 100 emits as
secondary radiation 6 primary radiation 4 reflected by the aperture
3, which, as described above, in the exemplary embodiment shown,
can be the entire visible proportion of the primary radiation
4.
[0067] Between the first orientation according to FIG. 1A and the
second orientation according to FIG. 1B, the aperture 3 may be
continuously changed along the displacement direction 90, as
indicated in FIG. 1C. Hence, the aperture 3 may adopt orientations
lying between the first and the second orientation. In the
orientation of the aperture 3 according to FIG. 1C, the aperture 3
partially shades the reflector 2 and hence the first wavelength
conversion substance 21, so that a first proportion 41 of the
primary radiation 4 is irradiated onto the first wavelength
conversion substance 21 and a further second proportion 42 of the
primary radiation 4 onto the aperture 3. Hence, in the orientation
of the aperture 3 according to FIG. 1C, the secondary radiation 6
encompasses the variable conversion radiation 5 which may also be
varied via the variable first proportion 41, which is emitted by
the first wavelength conversion substance 21, and the second
proportion 42 of the primary radiation 4, which is reflected by the
aperture 3.
[0068] Express reference is made to the fact that the proportions
41 and 42 in FIG. 1C are indicated by dotted lines for better
understanding only. The first and second proportions 41, 42 of the
primary radiation 4 are hereby determined by the design of the
radiation-emitting component 1 and in particular the radiation
characteristics of the radiation-emitting component 1.
[0069] In particular, the conversion radiation 5 emitted by the
first wavelength conversion substance 21 and the primary radiation
4 reflected by the aperture 3 may be superimposed at least
partially or even congruently, so that the secondary radiation 6
may have homogeneous superimposition and may include a mixture of
the primary radiation 4 and the conversion radiation 5.
[0070] The secondary radiation 6 is hence variable by changing the
first proportion 41 of the primary radiation 4, which is emitted by
the radiation-emitting component 1 onto the first wavelength
conversion substance 21 and by changing the emitted conversion
radiation 5 by way of changing the orientation of the aperture 3.
Hereby, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the light impression of
the secondary radiation 6 can be varied continuously between blue
and yellow. In particular in the orientations of the aperture 3
according to FIG. 1C, between the first orientation according to
FIG. 1A and the second orientation according to FIG. 1B, the
secondary radiation 6 may evoke a white-colored light impression
with a variable color temperature or a variable correlated color
temperature by superimposing the blue primary radiation 4 and the
yellow conversion radiation 5.
[0071] Particularly when using one or more blue LEDs or laser
diodes as the radiation-emitting component 1, there is a
significant cost advantage for the radiation-emitting apparatus 100
compared to a known illumination system with variable color
radiation, since the radiation-emitting component(s) 1 may be
operated at full brightness and the color of the light impression
of the secondary radiation 6 may still be adjusted by means of the
aperture 3. Furthermore, since, even with a plurality of
radiation-emitting components 1, only one primary radiation 4 is
used, a complex color management system is avoided and hence
saved.
[0072] The following Figs. show exemplary embodiments of
radiation-emitting apparatuses, which encompass modifications
and/or extensions of the radiation-emitting apparatus 100 of the
exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1A to 1C. Therefore, the
following description mainly refers to the differences compared to
the radiation-emitting apparatus 100.
[0073] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a radiation-emitting
apparatus 200 representing a modification of the radiation-emitting
apparatus 100. Compared to the preceding exemplary embodiment, the
radiation-emitting component 1 is designed in such a way that the
primary radiation 4 only encompasses blue light with spectral
components with a wavelength between, for example, 465 and 480
nanometers.
[0074] The reflector 2 and the first wavelength conversion
substance 21 are designed in such a way that the first proportion
41 of the primary radiation 4 irradiated onto the reflector 2 and
the first wavelength conversion substance 21 is partially converted
into conversion radiation 5 with spectral components in a yellow
wavelength range and also part of the primary radiation 4 is
reflected by the reflector 2. As a result, the reflector 2 emits
electromagnetic radiation, which is a superimposition of primary
radiation 4 and conversion radiation 5 and is able to evoke an
impression of cold-white light in an external observer. Here and in
the following, "cold-white" designates electromagnetic radiation
with a color temperature or a correlated color temperature of more
than, for example, 5500 Kelvin. The color temperature of, for
example, 5500 Kelvin hereby corresponds to a black-body radiator
with an emission spectrum with color coordinates of x=y=1/3 in the
CIE-I 931 standard color chart known to the person skilled in the
art.
[0075] The aperture 3 includes a third wavelength conversion
substance 31 on a surface facing the radiation-emitting component
1, which is suitable for converting the primary radiation 4 at
least partially into conversion radiation 5 with spectral
components in the green and/or yellow and in the red wavelength
range. The third wavelength conversion substance 31 is selected
with respect to its material, concentration and thickness on the
aperture 3 in such a way that a part of the proportion 42 of the
primary radiation 4, which is irradiated onto the aperture 3 and
the third wavelength conversion substance 31, may be reflected
unconverted by the aperture 3. As a result, the aperture 3 may emit
a superimposition of the blue primary radiation 4 and the green
and/or yellow and red conversion radiation 5, which evokes an
impression of warm-white light in an external observer.
[0076] By changing the orientation of the aperture 3 relative to
the radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector 2, hence
the first proportion 41 of the primary radiation, which is
irradiated onto the reflector 2 and the first wavelength conversion
substance 21, and the second proportion 42 of the primary radiation
4, which is irradiated onto the aperture 3 and the third wavelength
conversion substance 31, are changed relative to each other. As a
result, the proportion of the electromagnetic radiation with an
impression of cold-white light from the reflector 2 and the
proportion of the electromagnetic radiation with a warm-white light
impression from the aperture 3 may be changed relative to each
other. By changing the orientation of the aperture 3, the color
temperature or the correlated color temperature the secondary
radiation 6, which is emitted by the radiation-emitting apparatus
200 in the emission direction 10, may hence be changed, without the
radiation intensity of the radiation-emitting component 1 having to
be changed.
[0077] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a further exemplary embodiment of a
radiation-emitting apparatus 300. Hereby, FIG. 3A is a top view of
the radiation-emitting apparatus 300 against the emission direction
10. FIGS. 3B and 3C show schematic sectional representations along
the section planes designed BB and CC in FIG. 3A. The following
description refers equally to FIGS. 3A to 3C.
[0078] The radiation-emitting apparatus 300 includes a reflector 2,
on which a first wavelength conversion substance 21 and, adjacent
thereto, a second wavelength conversion substance 22 are arranged.
The second wavelength conversion substance 22 is hereby different
from the first wavelength conversion substance 21. Furthermore,
arranged on the reflector 2 are two radiation-emitting components
1, which are designed as LEDs for emitting blue primary
radiation.
[0079] Arranged above the reflector 2 is an aperture 3, which
reflects the primary radiation, so that primary radiation, which is
emitted by the radiation-emitting components 1 in the direction of
the reflecting aperture 3, is reflected by this to the wavelength
conversion substances 21, 22. The aperture 3 includes an opening
30, which is adapted to the shape of the first and second
wavelength conversion substances 21, 22 in such a way that for an
external observer, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first and/or the second
wavelength conversion substances 21, 22 are visible in a direction
of view against the emission direction 10 through the opening 30.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first and second wavelength
conversion substances 21, 22 and the opening 30 each have a
rectangular design. In addition, however, other forms, such as, for
example described in the general part, are also possible. By
changing the orientation of the aperture 3 relative to the
reflector 2 and to the radiation-emitting components 1, the opening
30 of the aperture 3 enables the proportion of the primary
radiation, irradiated onto the first and the second wavelength
conversion substances 21, 22 respectively, to be changed.
[0080] In the exemplary embodiment shown, as in the preceding
exemplary embodiment, the first wavelength conversion substance 21
is designed in such a way that the blue primary radiation is
converted into conversion radiation with spectral components in the
yellow wavelength range. The second wavelength conversion substance
22 is designed like the third wavelength conversion substance 31 in
the preceding exemplary embodiment in such a way that the blue
primary radiation is converted into conversion radiation with
spectral components in the green and/or yellow and in the red
wavelength range. Since a part of the reflector 2 is free of the
first and second wavelength conversion substance 21, 22, at least
in this part, the primary radiation can be reflected
unconverted.
[0081] The aperture 3 is displaceable along the translation path 90
relative to the reflector 2 and the radiation-emitting components
1. In the exemplary orientation of the aperture 3 shown in FIG. 3A,
the opening 30 is only arranged over the second wavelength
conversion substance 22. As a result, mainly the conversion
radiation emitted by the second wavelength conversion substance 22
and unconverted primary radiation are emitted through the opening
30, so that the radiation-emitting apparatus 300 may emit a
secondary radiation with an impression of warm-white light in the
emission direction 10. If the orientation of the aperture 3 is
changed in such a way that the opening 30 is only arranged over the
first wavelength conversion substance 21, mainly the conversion
radiation emitted by the first wavelength conversion substance 21
and unconverted primary radiation are emitted through the opening
30. In this orientation of the aperture 3 relative to the reflector
2, the radiation-emitting apparatus 300 may emit secondary
radiation with an impression of cold-white light. If the opening 30
is arranged in such a way over the first and second wavelength
conversion substances 21, 22 that both a part of the first and a
part of the second wavelength conversion substance 21, 22 are
visible through the opening, the radiation-emitting apparatus 300
can emit secondary radiation, which is a superimposition of
electromagnetic radiation with a cold-white and a warm-white light
impression.
[0082] By continuously changing the orientation of the aperture 3
and hence of the opening 30 relative to the reflector 2 and the
radiation-emitting components 1, the secondary radiation may
therefore be changed continuously with respect to its light
impression, without it being necessary to change the radiation
intensity of the radiation-emitting components 1. Furthermore,
similar radiation-emitting components 1 are used, which emit the
same or at least a similar primary radiation.
[0083] FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary embodiment of a
radiation-emitting apparatus 400. FIGS. 4B and 4C show a schematic
section representation along the section planes designated BB and
CC in FIG. 4A. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the section plane AA
characterizes the section through the radiation-emitting apparatus
400 depicted in FIG. 4A.
[0084] Hereby, the radiation-emitting apparatus 400 is designed
similarly to the radiation-emitting apparatus 300 in the preceding
exemplary embodiment. Unlike the radiation-emitting apparatus 300,
however, the radiation-emitting apparatus 400 includes a reflector
2 designed as a light box, in which a plurality of first wavelength
conversion substances 21 and a plurality of second wavelength
conversion substances 22 are arranged in first and second sub-areas
of the reflector 2. The first and second sub-areas with the first
and the second wavelength conversion substances 21, 22 are hereby
applied along parallel straight lines alternately next to each
other on the reflector 2.
[0085] Furthermore, arranged on the reflector 2 along parallel
straight lines, that is in a honeycomb shape, are respective
pluralities of radiation-emitting components 1, designed as LEDs or
laser diodes. Alternatively or additionally, radiation-emitting
components 1 can also be designed as fluorescent lamps, as
described in the general part.
[0086] Arranged above the radiation-emitting components 1 and the
sub-areas with the first and second wavelength conversion
substances 21, 22 is a displaceable, reflecting aperture 3
including a plurality of openings 30. Hereby, each of the openings
30 is allocated to a pair of adjacent first and second wavelength
conversion substances 21, 22, so that the secondary radiation
emitted by the radiation-emitting apparatus 400 may be changed
according to the same principle as in the case of the
radiation-emitting apparatus 300 according to FIGS. 3A to 3C.
[0087] Arranged above the aperture 3 in the emission direction 10
is a diffuser 7, which permits thorough mixing of the
electromagnetic radiation emitted through the openings 30 and hence
ensures homogeneous emission of the secondary radiation. Hereby,
the diffuser 7 is designed as a diffuser plate with a translucent,
that is permitting the passage of light but not transparent,
surface in the form of an opal glass pane.
[0088] Furthermore, a radiation-emitting apparatus may also include
a plurality of first wavelength conversion substances 21 and
radiation-emitting components 1 and enable variability of the
secondary radiation according to the principle of the
radiation-emitting apparatuses 100 and 200 according to FIGS. 1A to
1C or 2.
[0089] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an exemplary embodiment of a
radiation-emitting apparatus 500 including a curved reflector 2.
Arranged on the concave surface of the reflector 2 facing a
radiation-emitting component 1 is a first wavelength conversion
substance 21, which can convert the primary radiation at least
partially into electromagnetic conversion radiation. The
radiation-emitting component 1 includes in the exemplary embodiment
shown a fluorescent lamp, which in the drawing plane is able to
emit a primary radiation isotropically. Alternatively, the
radiation-emitting component 1 may also be designed as a radial
emitting LED or LED array. As in the preceding exemplary
embodiments, the radiation-emitting component 1 of the
radiation-emitting apparatus 500 emits electromagnetic primary
radiation with a impression of blue light, while the first
wavelength conversion substance 21 may emit conversion radiation
with an impression of yellow or yellowish-red light impression.
[0090] The radiation-emitting component 1 is arranged between the
reflector 2 and an aperture 3. The aperture 3 is directly
reflecting and is, as indicated by the double arrow 90, rotatable
in the drawing plane. For purposes of clarity, FIGS. 5A and 5B only
show the proportion 41 of the primary radiation, which is
irradiated directly or by reflection on the aperture 3 onto the
first wavelength conversion substance 21.
[0091] The proportion 41 of the primary radiation, which is not
irradiated onto the first wavelength conversion substance 21 can be
directly emitted in the emission direction 10 (not shown). The
secondary radiation emitted by the radiation-emitting apparatus 500
is hence made up of the directly emitted proportion of the primary
radiation and the conversion radiation emitted by the first
wavelength conversion substance 21. By rotating the aperture 3
relative to the radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector
2, that is by changing the orientation of the aperture 3 relative
to the radiation-emitting component 1 and to the reflector 2, as
shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the proportion 41 of the primary
radiation, which is radiated onto the first wavelength conversion
substance 21, can be changed. As a result, the conversion radiation
and also the proportion of the primary radiation, which can be
emitted directly in the emission direction 10, can be changed by
changing the relative orientation of the aperture 3.
[0092] Hence, by rotating the aperture 3, the proportion of the
blue primary radiation and the proportion of the yellow conversion
radiation in the secondary radiation can be changed. As a result,
the light impression of the secondary radiation may be changed
between a more bluish light impression in the orientation of the
aperture according to FIG. 5B and a more yellowish or
yellowish-more-reddish light impression in the orientation of the
aperture 3 according to FIG. 5A.
[0093] Alternatively to the direct reflecting aperture 3, this may
also have a third wavelength conversion substance on the surface
facing the reflector in FIG. 5A, as in FIG. 2. The conversion
radiation generated by the third wavelength conversion substance
radiated back to the reflector 2 by the aperture 3, can be
reflected in the emission direction 10 at the reflector 2 in the
emission direction and hence contribute to the secondary radiation
and its light impression depending upon the orientation of the
aperture.
[0094] Alternatively or additionally, to a rotatable aperture 3,
the radiation-emitting apparatus 500 may also include a
displaceable or a rotatable and displaceable aperture.
[0095] The combinations of wavelength ranges for the primary
radiation and the conversion radiation described in connection with
FIGS. 1A to 5B are purely exemplary. In addition, other
combinations of wavelength ranges are also possible, which permit
secondary radiation with a variable white and/or heterochromatic
light impression.
[0096] The description with reference to the exemplary embodiments
does not restrict the invention these embodiments. Instead, the
invention encompasses every new feature and every combination of
features, which in particular includes any combination of features
in the claims, even if this feature or this combination is not
actually explicitly disclosed in the claims or exemplary
embodiments.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0097] 1 Radiation-emitting component (1)
[0098] 2 Reflector
[0099] 3 Aperture
[0100] 4 Primary radiation
[0101] 5 Conversion radiation
[0102] 6 Secondary radiation
[0103] 7 Diffuser
[0104] 10 Emission direction
[0105] 21 First wavelength conversion substance
[0106] 22 Second wavelength conversion substance
[0107] 30 Opening
[0108] 31 Third wavelength conversion substance
[0109] 41, 42 Proportion of the primary radiation
[0110] 90 Translation
[0111] 91 Rotation
[0112] 100 Radiation-emitting apparatus
[0113] 200 Radiation-emitting apparatus
[0114] 300 Radiation-emitting apparatus
[0115] 400 Radiation-emitting apparatus
[0116] 500 Radiation-emitting apparatus
* * * * *